The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-08-28
The Great London Fire.

Tho detailed reports OF inc &IedC ure at
WHrTKLKY's which now come to US indicate
that tho IRE department Of London Is far be-
hind our own in effectiveness. As compared
with the familiar experience here the engines
were slow in getting upon the scene, and
though almost the whole effective force Of
the fire brigade OF London was eventually
employed, It's energies were for hours ex-
pended In vain.
The fire broke out at about seven in the
evening Of Saturday. the 9Th of this month.
At first it did not seem to be Of threaten
ing character. and IL it had been handled
with the promptness and intelligence to
which we are accustomed from the officers
Of our own Fire Department tho terrible
confagration, involving the loss Of several
lives and two or three million dollars worth
Of property, would probably have been pre-
vented. Before the hremen and engines had
got thoroughly at work the walls suddenly
fell out and the flames obtained such vent
as added momentarily to their strength, and
1t was not until three in the morning of Sum-
day that tho fire brigade had the confagra-
ton In hand.
Yet practically the entire London machin-
cry for putting out fires was on the spot.
Capt SHAW. the chief Of the brigade says
that after this experience perhaps "Parlia-
ment will pass tho bill drafted by the Board
Of Works asking for moro money to raise the
efficiency Of the brigade" It certainly seems
to be needed, for II another considerable IRE
had occurred in London on that evening
there was no reserve to meet 1t. The whole
Metropolitan Fire Department was engaged
in the unsuccessful attempt to put out the
flames at WHITELEY's.
The most effectual work done by the fire.
men. 1t seems, was when they used an
American ladder. as thus described In tho
London Tines:
"Ons great sssp which taken BY the dremsn saved
q great amount Of property. The American ladder
pitched Against the end building but which seemed
very likely TO Be attacked; the men entered with the
hosa and while . member poured water the ap-
preaching nre the others removed furniture of most
valuable description with which the building crowd.
ed place Of safety The IRE licked the place and
severely scorchsd parts Of H. but stubborn resistance
made here to Its further advance and last met
With succsss"
The fre was evidently the work OF incen-
diaries, but we do not hear that any trace Of
them has yet been found. though this was
the seventh fire which had occurred at
WH1TEIEY's within five years. and all under
circumstances to excite the gravest suspi-
cion, so that English insurance companies
refused to take any risks on the property.
1t Is assumed in London that the incendi-
aries were business rivals or discon-
tented employees OF Mr.. WHITLEY, for
as his vast establishment grew he
absorbed the trade Of minor concerns, and
the discipline within it was of the severest
sort. Yet there 1t seems to end. The fire
insurance companies are not concerned to
investigate the case. for they had no risks
on the property destroyed. and there Is no
fire marshal whose function it Is to ferret
out the causes Of fires.
At least In the matter Of fires We manage
things better here in New York than they are
managed In London.